Method of manufacturing a zeolitic adsorbent

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an adsorbent comprising X or Y zeolite containing one or more selected cations at the exchangeable cationic sites. The method basically comprises the steps of: contacting a base material comprisng X or Y zeolite with an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution at first ion exchange conditions to effect the addition of sodium cations to said base material; treating the sodium-exchanged base material at second ion exchange conditions to effect the essentially complete exchange of sodium cations with one or more cations selected from the group consisting of Group IA, Group IIA, and Group IB of the Periodic Table of Elements; and, drying the material at conditions to reduce the LOI at 900 DEG C. to less than about 10 wt. %. The adsorbent produced by the method exhibits faster adsorption-desorption rates for a desired extract component than does an adsorbent not produced by the method.

I claim as my invention: 
     
       1. A method of manufacturing a solid adsorbent which method comprises the steps of: a. contacting a base material comprising X or Y zeolite with an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution at first ion exchange conditions to effect the addition of sodium cations to said base material;   b. treating the sodium-exchanged base material at second ion exchange conditions to effect the essentially complete exchange of sodium cations with one or more cations selected from the group consisting of Group IA, Group IIA, and Group IB of the Periodic Table of Elements; and,   c. drying the material at conditions to reduce the LOI at 900° C. to less than about 10 weight percent.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that said first ion-exchange conditions include a temperature within the range of from about 50° F. to about 250° F. and a sodium hydroxide solution concentration of from about 0.5 to about 10 wt. %. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that said sodium exchanged mass has a Na 2  O/Al 2  O 3  ratio greater than about 0.7. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that said second ion-exchange conditions include a pH sufficient to preclude formation of the hydrogen form of the zeolite, and a temperature within the range of from about 50° F. to about 250° F. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that said base material comprises X zeolite. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 5 further characterized in that said sodium cations are essentially completely exchanged with one or more cations selected from the group consisting of lithium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, copper, and silver. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that said base material comprises Y zeolite. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 7 further characterized in that said sodium cations are essentially completely exchanged with one or more cations selected from the group consisting of lithium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, copper, and silver. 
     
     
       9. The method of manufacturing a solid adsorbent which method comprises the steps of: a. contacting a base material comprising an X or Y zeolite having a Na 2  O/Al 2  O 3  ratio less than about 0.7 wih an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution at first ion exchange conditions, including a temperature within the range of from about 50° F. to about 250° F. and a sodium hydroxide solution concentration of from about 0.5 to about 10 weight percent, to increase the sodium cation content to a Na 2  O/Al 2  O 3  ratio of greater than about 0.7;   b. treating the sodium-exchanged base material at second ion exchange conditions, including a pH sufficient to preclude the formation of the hydrogen form of the zeolite and a temperature within the range of from about 50 to about 250° F., to effect the essentially complete exchange of sodium cations with one or more cations selected from the group consisting of Group IA, Group IIA, and Group IB of the Periodic Table of Elements; and,   c. drying the resulting material at conditions sufficient to reduce the LOI at 900° C. to less than about 10 weight percent.   
     
     
       10. The method of claim 9 further characterized in that said base material comprises X zeolite. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 10 further characterized in that said sodium cations are essentially completely exchanged with one or more cations selected from the group consisting of lithium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, copper, and silver. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 9 further characterized in that said base material comprises Y zeolite. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 12 further characterized in that said sodium cations are essentially completely exchanged with one or more cations selected from the group consisting of lithium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, copper, and silver.